The public is as happy to be searched by members of the armed forces as by armed police officers, according to research prepared for this week's YouGov-Cambridge forum, at which the Guardian is media partner. The poll also finds that people would far rather be protected, or searched, by either the police or the armed forces than by private-sector personnel.

In responses which may reflect wide praise for the role played by the armed forces in Olympic venues, 76% said they would not mind being personally searched by soldiers or other members of the armed forces when entering a sporting event or travelling abroad, slightly more than the 73% who would be happy to be searched by armed police. Some 85% said they would not mind being searched by unarmed police.

The figures reflect a marked preference for being searched by public servants as compared to staff of private companies. Just 47% said they would not mind being searched by "private-sector personnel".

The reputation of the security company G4S was seriously affected by its failure to provide sufficient trained employees for the Olympics. Thirty-six per cent of those questioned said they most wanted to see unarmed police officers present at major sporting events, compared with 18% favouring the presence of members of the armed forces, and 13% private security company personnel.

By contrast, 54% said they most wanted to see armed police officers at airports and sea ports compared to 17% in favour of unarmed police officers and 5% in favour of private security company personnel.

• Between 9 and 10 September, YouGov questioned 1,871 British adults. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all British adults.